Cumbria County Council Serving the People of Cumbria

Cumbria County Council

Economy & Infrastructure  107-117 Botchergate  Carlisle  Cumbria  CA1 1RD T: 01228 226015  E: [email protected]

12 July 2019

Mr Simon Smith Caldbeck Parish Council Clerk

Dear Mr Smith,

Thank you for your letter dated 15 June 2019, addressed to Katherine Fairclough, Chief Executive, who has asked me to follow up on the issues you have raised and respond on her behalf. Please accept my apologies for the delay in responding to your correspondence.

I am sorry to hear that the landowners did not accept the offer of mediation; I understand that this would have been quite the disappointment for yourself and the community. Unfortunately, however, Cumbria County Council’s position (CCC) has not changed at this stage. Without the landowners cooperation we cannot commit to underwriting the costs of the creation order and any potential legal challenge.

Whilst I appreciate that this may not be the news you were hoping for, we are eager to continue to try to move forward, working with the community to find an alternative solution.

There is quite a high level of detail in your letter of 15 June 2019, which I agree is best discussed in person for clarity. Our Officers are more than willing to facilitate a meeting between the Parish Council, CCC and Lake District National Park (LDNP) Countryside Management Team to identify how the existing footpath can be improved and made more accessible.

I have asked Paul Haggin, Planning and Countryside Manager to contact you directly.

Thank you for your ongoing patience in this matter.

Yours sincerely

Angela Jones Acting Executive Director of Economy & Infrastructure

Cc: Paul Haggin: [email protected] Cllr Johnson: [email protected]

Serving the people of Cumbria cumbria.gov.uk